Um, is this normal

Are you normal in the period department? Probably – ‘normal’ is a seriously broad range. But just in case something feels a bit off, check out our guide to get a better idea of what exactly it means for you.

The cycle

It’s around 28 days, give or take a few, and that includes two to seven days of bleeding. It’ll be a while before you become regular (meaning the bleeding starts on the same day of every month), but eventually it’ll even out. Until then, expect the unexpected and carry pads or tampons with you all the time.

See a doctor if: your periods have stopped, last more than a week, you have bleeding in between periods or you get two or more periods in one month.

Volume

It might seem like THE MOST BLOOD, but you only lose three to five tablespoons of the stuff every period. It might be a light period or more of a gush if it’s very heavy, and that’ll change depending on the time in your cycle too.

See a doctor if: your period seems unusually heavy.

Colour and texture

This isn’t just any old blood remember – it’s the shedding of the lining of your uterus, so it contains tissue and mucus too. Expect a rainbow of red, from rose-coloured to deep maroon, and it’ll get darker and even brown nearer the end. As for blood clots during your period? They’re gross, but also harmless and normal.

See a doctor if: you’re getting clots bigger than the tip of your thumb.

Pain

Your womb is contracting to get rid of the blood, so there’s going to be a bit of pain. Some wombs contract harder than others, which causes more pain, and some girls feel a mild discomfort. Keep your fingers crossed that you’re on the no-pain end of the spectrum. Painkillers and your hot water bottle are your new best friends when period pain comes a-knocking. The hormones in the contraceptive pill can also help.